Cleopatra's Kidnappers: How Caesar's Sixth Legion Gave Egypt to Rome and Rome to Caesar

Julius Caesar was nothing if not bold. When, in the wake of his defeat of Pompey at Pharsalus his victorious legions refused to march another step under his command, he pursued his fleeing rival into Egypt with an impossibly small force of Gallic and German cavalry, raw Italian recruits, and nine hundred Spanish prisoners of war - tough veterans of Pompey's Sixth Legion. Cleopatra's Kidnappers tells the epic saga of Caesar's adventures in Egypt through the eyes of these captured, but never defeated, legionaries.

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Publisher's Summary

A powerful tale of war, romance, and one of history's most desperate gambles.

Julius Caesar was nothing if not bold. When, in the wake of his defeat of Pompey at Pharsalus his victorious legions refused to march another step under his command, he pursued his fleeing rival into Egypt with an impossibly small force of Gallic and German cavalry, raw Italian recruits, and nine hundred Spanish prisoners of war - tough veterans of Pompey's Sixth Legion.

Cleopatra's Kidnappers tells the epic saga of Caesar's adventures in Egypt through the eyes of these captured, but never defeated, legionaries. In this third volume in his definitive history of the Roman legions, Stephen Dando-Collins reveals how this tiny band of fierce warriors led Caesar's little army to great victories against impossible odds. Bristling with action and packed with insights and newly revealed facts, this eye-opening account introduces you to the extraordinary men who made possible Caesar's famous boast, "I came, I saw, I conquered."

If you could sum up Cleopatra's Kidnappers in three words, what would they be?

If you like Roman history you should enjoy this book. I did. But I did find the title misleading a little. It really more of a military history of the 6th Legion and the story of Cleopatra is just a small part of the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cleopatra's Kidnappers?

The whole Alexandria siege was a lot more detailed and precarious for Caeser than previous accounts I have read.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Let me put my two complaints in this section. The first is the author puts too much speculative dialog in the book. Many instances of "the men probably would have said ``blah blah''". The performance is good although the pronunciation of several names are different than other sources. I don't know who is right or wrong or if it is American or British differences ("Soo-tony-us" or "Sway-tony-us" for example).

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, a little too much history for that.

Any additional comments?

It is enjoyable but encompasses a lot of detailed history and people and I couldn't keep up with all the different legions and where they were at different times. I didn't find it dull or distracting from enjoying the book.

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